Surf Clubs the length of the Queensland coast are joining this weekend’s vax-a-thon as the countdown to open borders ticks ever closer.
Emergency Services Minister, Mark Ryan, joined Surf Life Saving officials, police and health authorities at Kings Beach, Caloundra, to launch the “Be a lifesaver, get a jab” campaign.
Minister Ryan said with the opening of borders just weeks away time was critical.
“It’s V-day, vaccination day.
“It’s just a matter of weeks until the borders open.
“So, there’s no time to waste.
“This weekend beachgoers have access to vaccination clinics at more than 20 Surf Lifesaving Clubs in locations all the way from Coolangatta to Cairns and beyond to Port Douglas.
“Each participating Surf Club will have qualified vaccination staff on hand to administer the jabs.”
In addition, a plane towing a vaccination message banner will fly over several beaches.
The banner will urge people to “Be a Lifesaver, get a jab”.
“Over the long weekend there will be so many people at our beaches so this is a great opportunity to get our vaccination rates up.
“We’ve had great success keeping the virus out, now we’ve got to have the same success getting everyone protected.”
Ken Clark OAM, General Manager of Surf Life Saving Queensland Commercial, said Surf Life Saving Queensland was committed to providing a safe environment for its members and beachgoers and as such, strongly recommend all members who are eligible to get vaccinated.
“Surf clubs are community hubs in Queensland and we encourage anyone who is not yet vaccinated, to come down to one of the participating clubs.
“This weekend is everyone and anyone’s chance to be a lifesaver.”
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Greg Leach said it was great to see the creative collaboration between emergency response agencies to spread the vaccination message.
“Protecting and helping each other is a core value that all emergency responders, including firefighters, SES personnel and surf lifesavers, engender. In fact, it’s a core value for most Queenslanders and we see it come to the fore in every emergency situation we face,” he said.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is another emergency situation for all of us and that’s why all of our emergency responder organisations are working creatively together to encourage that great community spirit and ask everyone to get their jab. A COVID-19 vaccination is not only the best way of protecting ourselves in this pandemic, it’s also assisting everyone around us.”
The benefits of getting vaccinated are clear.
People who are vaccinated have an 86 percent less chance of catching the virus and passing it on.
People who are vaccinated have a 90 percent less chance of dying from the effects of the virus.
